Device for tightly fastening at least two members

Abstract

A device for clamping at least two components for use in friction stir welding supports the components and holds the components in place using a plurality of channels placed under vacuum for clamping of the components during friction stir welding. Both sides of a welding backup plate may have a mounting device including the vacuum channels, for example. The mounting device may have a contoured support surface for supporting components with a simple or complex surface curvature, allowing the same device to be rapidly configured to a plurality of component types with varying surface curvatures.

1. A device for clamping at least two components for joining by friction stir welding for an aircraft, the device comprising:
 a plurality of supporting elements; 
 a welding backup plate having two sides; 
 the at least two components each are accommodated by the plurality of supporting elements, and the welding backup plate is arranged under a weld seam such that, wherein both the two sides of the welding backup plate each have at least one mounting device with a plurality of channels capable of being placed under a vacuum for clamping of the at least two components during friction stir welding of the weld seam between the at least two components. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a substructure, wherein the at least one mounting device is detachably secured to the substructure. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface geometry of the at least one mounting device is tailored to a surface geometry of the at least two components, to dimensions of the at least two components, or to both the geometry of the at least two components and the dimensions of the at least two components. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein one width of the at least one mounting device is especially tailored to varying material thicknesses of the at least two components. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding backup plate is replaceably arranged centrally below the weld seam in a weld formation area. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding backup plate and the at least one mounting device form a support surface. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least two components in the weld formation area are capable of being pressed against the welding backup plate by a pressure roller. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supporting elements are movable for purposes of adjustment to various surface geometries or dimensions of the at least two components or both. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supporting elements each have at least one connecting element such that the at least two components are fixed in place. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one mounting device or the substructure or both include a heat-insulating material. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one positioning unit is arranged in an area of the at least one mounting device or the substructure or both, such that the at least one component advances, aligns, or both advances and aligns relative to the welding backup plate or the at least one mounting device or both.